kristopher_d

Okay, folks have been asking for Saturday Drives since I started the Sunday Drive series. Unfortunately, I just haven't been able to make the time to plan, pre-drive, write the route book, and lead a second drive each month. So, I'm considering an alternative. That is, doing each drive twice a month.

In addition, a number of the first timers have mentioned that, while they had fun, the pace we keep was more than they were prepared for. With that in mind, I'm considering doing one of the drives at a more relaxed (entry level) pace, and the other at our usual "Sprited" pace. If I do this, I'll alternate the drives. Meaning, one month we'll do Saturday for those nervous about keeping up and Sunday at our usual pace, then the next month Sunday will be the relaxed drive and Saturday will exercise the cars a bit more.

Does this plan sound fair?

I'm definitely open to suggestions.

crafted_soul

Sounds awesome!

So some peeps were falling behind? Geez how fast do you guys drive?? haha..j/k

It's never fun to slow down! :P

kristopher_d

Let's just say that when we say spirited, we mean SPIRITED!

Anijo

Fairly certain we hit 90 in a 35 last weekend :P

And sounds like a great idea.

kristopher_d

Thanks for the input. I'll have to see what my schedule for July looks like, but I think August may have to be the beggining of this.

fahrfegneugen

It isn't too fast until someone crashes...

Anijo

Hey, but then it's a scavenger hunt!

kristopher_d

I don't know about that. On the street, you definitely want to leave some room for error. My general rule of thumb, if you have to cross the lines and cut corners to keep your speed, you're going to fast and need to slow down. It may be because of your line, or perhaps you just need to work on being smooth, or any number of factors and techniques that affect the car, but if you're cutting corners, you're asking for trouble. I once overcooked a corner and had to use a little of the oncoming lane to track out. Unfortunately, there was a Suburban using that lane for the direction intended. I was lucky, I had enough grip in the bag I was able to get back in my lane without too much drama, but if the Suburban had been 30 feet closer, or if I'd actually been on the edge, it would have been very bad, and very expensive.

Believe it or not, when leading a pack of cars down a nice twisty road, I rarely drive anywhere near my limits. Alone, I drive at 90% when I'm playing. If I have a passenger, I cut it back 10%. If I'm leading a group, I cut it back 10%. If there's weather, I cut it back 10%. If anything doesn't feel right, I cut it back 10%. So, when I'm leading a group, at most I'm running at 80%, and usually quite a bit less. On The String of Pearls III, I was driving between 50 and 60 percent, since I had several factors against me, and was tired from moving the day before.

Not bragging. Just want to make sure folks understand that I don't condone being wreckless or pushing yourself too far on the street.

fahrfegneugen

^Do as you say, not as you do

kristopher_d

Not really, though I can see how you come to that conclusion. Just be sure to leave yourself some safety margin. I've learned the hardway. Luckily neither of my bigger moments involved any other vehicles (at least, i didn't run into the other vehicles).

The last thing you want is to be right on the edge of adhesion, and suddenly need to make an emergency maneuver. If you've a little traction in reserve, you've a better chance of coming out of it well than if you're on the ragged edge.

I set a spirited pace, to be sure. But it's a pace I think is safe given my driving experience and having scouted the route.

I'm not trying to rain anybody's parade. Just be sure to explore the limits of you and your car on the track.

crafted_soul

I've never really been into group drives....but after looking at your pics and hearing about how fun they are........ I'm thinking I want to give this one a try....so....keep us updated , Kris.....

So...anyone from Lynnwood has shown up at the drives? I've been seeing a lot of RX8s here in Lynnwood/millcreed area lately...maybe about 20 different 8s..... 4 of them are in my neighborhood....including mine......

kristopher_d

I should get my pics from June up tonight, as well as the announcement for the July run. I'll start the Saturday runs in August.